Three charged with conspiracy to poach rhino
Two women and a man have been arrested for allegedly plotting to poach rhino at the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, the Hawks said on Friday.
Spokesman Lieutenant Robert Netshiunda said police received a tip off about a group of people plotting to poach rhino at the park on Thursday.
“Security at all the park gates were alerted, the identified vehicle was stopped at the Numbi gate. Upon searching it a .375 hunting rifle was found hidden in the engine compartment of the vehicle, while the silencer and the ammunition were hidden in the boot.”
“The intention was to drop off the firearm inside the park so that it could be picked up by poachers who were already inside the park. One suspect evaded arrest and fled into the bush,” said Netshiunda.
The three suspects, aged between 20 and 25, would appear in the White River Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to poach rhino. - ANA
(File photo: Gallo Images)